Herbert H. Heebert's student girlfriend rejects him, and he becomes an avowed woman-hater and leaves town.  Arriving in California, he takes a job as a houseboy at a large boarding hotel owned by ex-opera star Helen Welenmelon.  He learns that the house is populated by 31 career women and tries to quit, but Miss Welenmelon persuades him to stay on.  Though most of the women think him cute but stupid, Fay, an aspiring actress, takes a genuine interest in him and helps him overcome his girl-shyness.

After wrecking a television interview set up for Miss Welenmelon, Herbert gets into more trouble with some of the boarders' dates, including George Raft.  On Miss Welenmelon's birthday Herbert and the women give her a surprise party, and Herbert impresses one and all with his impersonations of Charlie Chaplin, Al Jolson, and Groucho Marx.

Just as he begins to enjoy his job, Herbert is led to believe that everyone is being nice to him only because houseboys are hard to come by.  As he prepares to leave, however, the boarders persuade him that they really are fond of him.  Elated, he happily drops his suitcases, hugs Fay, and decides to remain with Miss Welenmelon and all the wonderful ladies.